This interim final rule is effective on September 15, 2014. Written comments on the interim final rule should be received on or before October 15, 2014.

5 CFR Chapter XCIX

Summary

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) is issuing an interim final rule, establishing procedures for the public to obtain information from MCRMC under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

2014-08-21; vol. 79 # 162 - Thursday, August 21, 2014

79 FR 49423 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Corrections

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 19, 2014, amending its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This document corrects the interim final rule by revising these sections.

79 FR 49423 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Corrections

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 19, 2014, amending its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This document corrects the interim final rule by revising these sections.

2014-08-20; vol. 79 # 161 - Wednesday, August 20, 2014

79 FR 49225 - Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA, with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Supplement Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

2014-08-19; vol. 79 # 160 - Tuesday, August 19, 2014

79 FR 48941 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs

This interim final rule is effective on August 19, 2014. Submit written comments concerning this interim final rule on or before September 18, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 1201 and 1210

Summary

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) hereby amends its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

79 FR 48941 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs

This interim final rule is effective on August 19, 2014. Submit written comments concerning this interim final rule on or before September 18, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 1201 and 1210

Summary

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) hereby amends its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) published in the Federal Register of July 9, 2014, a document amending its regulations to provide that a beneficiary designation form is valid only if it is received by the TSP record-keeper not more than one year after the date of the participant's signature. This document corrects the authority citation and paragraph designations provided in the July 9, 2014 publication.

79 FR 44261 - Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Justice

The Department of Justice (DOJ), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics, is amending its Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Justice (Supplemental Standards) to incorporate existing rules for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) employees that had initially been adopted by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was within Treasury. These rules, which have continued to be applicable to ATF employees after the transfer of authorities to DOJ, are being incorporated without substantive change into DOJ's Supplemental Standards. Additionally, this final rule designates ATF as a separate agency for purposes of applying the gifts and the teaching, speaking, and writing provisions of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on December 23, 2013, to amend conditions under which Federal employees and retirees may change enrollment under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. This is the final rule.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) amends its regulations to provide that a beneficiary designation form is valid only if it is received by the TSP record-keeper not more than one year after the date of the participant's signature.

This interim final rule is effective July 3, 2014. Written comments may be submitted by August 4, 2014.

5 CFR Part 9301

Summary

Notice is hereby given that the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) proposes to amend its Privacy Act regulation exempting portions of an existing system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. Certain portions of the Investigations Records, SIGAR-08, system of records contain criminal investigation records, investigatory material for law enforcement purposes, confidential source information and are proposed to be exempted under the Privacy Act.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting as final its proposed regulation to implement the administrative wage garnishment (AWG) provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA). The regulation will allow OPM to garnish the disposable pay of an individual to collect delinquent non-tax debts owed to the United States without first obtaining a court order. The regulation sets forth procedures for use by OPM in collecting debts owed to the Federal Government. The Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended by the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and the DCIA, requires agencies to issue regulations on their debt collection procedures. The regulation includes procedures for collection of debts through AWG.

The rule is effective May 19, 2014. The amendments to 5 CFR 2634.304 and 2634.907 (as set forth in amendatory paragraphs 2 and 3) are retroactively applicable as of January 1, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 2634 and 2635

Summary

The Office of Government Ethics is updating its executive branch regulation on financial disclosure to reflect the retroactive statutory increase of the reporting thresholds for gifts and travel reimbursements. As a matter of regulatory policy, OGE is also raising the widely attended gatherings nonsponsor gifts exception dollar ceiling under the executive branchwide standards of ethical conduct regulation, but this change is not retroactive.

The rule is effective May 19, 2014. The amendments to 5 CFR 2634.304 and 2634.907 (as set forth in amendatory paragraphs 2 and 3) are retroactively applicable as of January 1, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 2634 and 2635

Summary

The Office of Government Ethics is updating its executive branch regulation on financial disclosure to reflect the retroactive statutory increase of the reporting thresholds for gifts and travel reimbursements. As a matter of regulatory policy, OGE is also raising the widely attended gatherings nonsponsor gifts exception dollar ceiling under the executive branchwide standards of ethical conduct regulation, but this change is not retroactive.

OPM is issuing a final rule to incorporate in its political activity regulations the amendments to the Hatch Act added by the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012. The final rule also updates the contact information for the United States Office of Special Counsel, the Federal agency authorized by statute to investigate and prosecute allegations of Hatch Act violations, and to issue advisory opinions concerning permitted and prohibited political activities under the Hatch Act. Finally, the final rule updates our regulations to conform to current Federal employee political activity provisions.

OPM is issuing a final rule to incorporate in its political activity regulations the amendments to the Hatch Act added by the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012. The final rule also updates the contact information for the United States Office of Special Counsel, the Federal agency authorized by statute to investigate and prosecute allegations of Hatch Act violations, and to issue advisory opinions concerning permitted and prohibited political activities under the Hatch Act. Finally, the final rule updates our regulations to conform to current Federal employee political activity provisions.

OPM is issuing a final rule to incorporate in its political activity regulations the amendments to the Hatch Act added by the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012. The final rule also updates the contact information for the United States Office of Special Counsel, the Federal agency authorized by statute to investigate and prosecute allegations of Hatch Act violations, and to issue advisory opinions concerning permitted and prohibited political activities under the Hatch Act. Finally, the final rule updates our regulations to conform to current Federal employee political activity provisions.

Effective date: This regulation is effective on April 24, 2014. Applicability date: This change applies on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after June 23, 2014.

5 CFR Part 532

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing a final rule to establish special wage schedules for the Department of Defense's (DOD's) nonappropriated fund (NAF) automotive mechanics. These special wage schedules will replace the current commission pay practice covering DOD's NAF automotive mechanics with a flat rate pay system. Implementation of a flat rate pay system will better align the pay practice for compensating NAF automotive mechanics with current prevailing pay practices in the private sector.

This rule is effective May 27, 2014 without further action, unless adverse comment is received by May 23, 2014. If adverse comment is received, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the Federal Register .

5 CFR Part 1639

Summary

This regulation implements the authority established under the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) to order a non-Federal employer to withhold up to 15 percent of an employee's disposable income to pay a non-tax delinquent debt owed to the Agency or Thrift Savings Fund.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations concerning the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). These final regulations are being issued in order to strengthen the integrity, streamline the operations and increase the effectiveness of the program to ensure its continued growth and success. They were designed in response to the recommendations of the CFC-50 Commission in the Federal Advisory Committee Report on the Combined Federal Campaign, issued in July, 2012. As such, we expect these regulations will improve donor participation, CFC infrastructure, and standards of transparency and accountability.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 23, 2013 (78 FR 58153), updating the 2007 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes used in Federal Wage System wage survey industry regulations with the 2012 NAICS revisions published by the Office of Management and Budget. The final rule inadvertently omitted deleting two NAICS codes from the list of required NAICS codes in the Electronics specialized industry in 5 CFR 532.313. This document corrects this error.

NCUA is making minor technical corrections to its supplementary ethics regulation to correct certain statutory references and to its regulation governing golden parachute and indemnification payments to conform certain internal cross citations affected by two recently revised final regulations.

NCUA is making minor technical corrections to its supplementary ethics regulation to correct certain statutory references and to its regulation governing golden parachute and indemnification payments to conform certain internal cross citations affected by two recently revised final regulations.

2014-03-05; vol. 79 # 43 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

79 FR 12353 - Pay for Senior-Level and Scientific or Professional Positions

This document amends rules for setting and adjusting pay of senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) employees. The Senior Professional Performance Act of 2008 changes pay for these employees by providing for rates of basic pay up to the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule (EX-III), or, if the employee is under a certified performance appraisal system, the rate payable for level II of the Executive Schedule (EX-II). Consistent with this statutory emphasis on performance-based pay, these regulations provide for agencies to set and adjust pay for SL and ST employees based on individual performance, contribution to the agency's performance, or both, as determined under a rigorous performance appraisal system.

2014-02-10; vol. 79 # 27 - Monday, February 10, 2014

79 FR 7565 - Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Effective Date: February 10, 2014. Comment Date: Comments must be received by April 11, 2014.

5 CFR Part 6901

Summary

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), is amending the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The interim rule will permit student interns to seek prior approval to engage in outside employment with a NASA contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or party to a NASA agreement in connection with work performed by that entity or under that agreement. These amendments will clarify the types of outside employment activities that require approval; streamline the process for approval; eliminate obsolete position titles; and extend the permissible time period of approval.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations to eliminate the 10-year statute of limitations on collection of debt by administrative offset, which includes centralized salary offset. The final regulations conform with an amendment made by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. This change would authorize the offset of nontax payments (via salary offset) to collect delinquent Federal debt without regard to the amount of time the debt has been delinquent. OPM is also making several technical changes to be consistent with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice Federal Claims Collection Standards and the Department of the Treasury salary offset regulations.

This interim final rule is effective February 5, 2014. Comments are due on or before March 7, 2014.

5 CFR Part 870

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim final regulation to update the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) regulations to reflect updated election opportunities for participants in the Pathways Programs, which were designed to promote employment for students and recent graduates in the Federal workforce through internships with Federal agencies.

This interim final rule is effective February 5, 2014. Comments are due on or before March 7, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 890 and 894

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim final regulation to update the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) regulations to reflect updated election opportunities for participants in the Pathways Programs. The Pathways Programs were created by Executive Order (E.O.) 13562, signed by the President on December 27, 2010, and are designed to enable the Federal Government to compete effectively for students and recent graduates by improving its recruitment efforts through internships and similar programs with Federal agencies. This interim final rule furthers these recruitment and retention efforts by providing health insurance, as well as dental and vision benefits, to eligible program participants and their families.

This interim final rule is effective February 5, 2014. Comments are due on or before March 7, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 890 and 894

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim final regulation to update the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) regulations to reflect updated election opportunities for participants in the Pathways Programs. The Pathways Programs were created by Executive Order (E.O.) 13562, signed by the President on December 27, 2010, and are designed to enable the Federal Government to compete effectively for students and recent graduates by improving its recruitment efforts through internships and similar programs with Federal agencies. This interim final rule furthers these recruitment and retention efforts by providing health insurance, as well as dental and vision benefits, to eligible program participants and their families.

The Office of Government Ethics is issuing this final rule to provide notice of the revocation of certain regulatory exemptions of senior employee positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission from certain criminal post-employment restrictions.

Title 5 published on 2014-01-01

The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to Title 5after this date.

This interim final rule is effective on September 15, 2014. Written comments on the interim final rule should be received on or before October 15, 2014.

5 CFR Chapter XCIX

Summary

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) is issuing an interim final rule, establishing procedures for the public to obtain information from MCRMC under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

2014-08-21; vol. 79 # 162 - Thursday, August 21, 2014

79 FR 49423 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Corrections

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 19, 2014, amending its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This document corrects the interim final rule by revising these sections.

79 FR 49423 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Corrections

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 19, 2014, amending its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This document corrects the interim final rule by revising these sections.

2014-08-20; vol. 79 # 161 - Wednesday, August 20, 2014

79 FR 49225 - Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA, with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Supplement Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

2014-08-19; vol. 79 # 160 - Tuesday, August 19, 2014

79 FR 48941 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs

This interim final rule is effective on August 19, 2014. Submit written comments concerning this interim final rule on or before September 18, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 1201 and 1210

Summary

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) hereby amends its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

79 FR 48941 - Practices and Procedures; Appeal of Removal or Transfer of Senior Executive Service Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs

This interim final rule is effective on August 19, 2014. Submit written comments concerning this interim final rule on or before September 18, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 1201 and 1210

Summary

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) hereby amends its rules of practice and procedure to adapt the Board's regulations to legislative changes that have created new laws applicable to the removal or transfer of Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting its proposed phased retirement regulations with four minor changes. Phased retirement is a human resources tool that will allow full-time employees to work a part-time schedule and draw partial retirement benefits during employment. The “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” or “MAP-21,” requires OPM to publish regulations implementing phased retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The final rule informs agencies and employees about who may elect phased retirement, what benefits are provided during phased retirement, how OPM intends to compute the annuity payable during and after phased retirement, and how employees may fully retire after a period of phased retirement. The final rule does not address every administrative detail of the phased retirement process. OPM will be issuing separate guidance to assist agencies and employees with administrative and procedural matters that do not need to be addressed in this rule. Employees may not enter phased retirement or submit applications for phased retirement to OPM until 90 days after publication of this final rule.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) published in the Federal Register of July 9, 2014, a document amending its regulations to provide that a beneficiary designation form is valid only if it is received by the TSP record-keeper not more than one year after the date of the participant's signature. This document corrects the authority citation and paragraph designations provided in the July 9, 2014 publication.

79 FR 44261 - Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Justice

The Department of Justice (DOJ), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics, is amending its Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Justice (Supplemental Standards) to incorporate existing rules for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) employees that had initially been adopted by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was within Treasury. These rules, which have continued to be applicable to ATF employees after the transfer of authorities to DOJ, are being incorporated without substantive change into DOJ's Supplemental Standards. Additionally, this final rule designates ATF as a separate agency for purposes of applying the gifts and the teaching, speaking, and writing provisions of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.

The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a proposed rule that would expand eligibility for enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to certain temporary, seasonal, and intermittent employees who are identified as full-time employees. This regulation would make FEHB coverage available to these newly eligible employees no later than January 2015.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a proposed rule that would redefine the geographic boundaries of the Fort Wayne-Marion, IN, and Detroit, MI, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine Fulton County, OH, from the Fort Wayne-Marion wage area to the Detroit wage area. This change is based on a recent consensus recommendation of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) to best match Fulton County to a nearby FWS survey area. In addition, this proposed rule adds La Crosse County, WI, to the survey area of the Southwestern Wisconsin wage area, which OPM inadvertently omitted in a final rule published in 2013.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a proposed rule to revise the table of reduction factors for early commencing dates of survivor annuities for spouses of separated employees who die before the date on which they would be eligible for unreduced deferred annuities, and to revise the annuity factor for spouses of deceased employees who die in service when those spouses elect to receive the basic employee death benefit in 36 installments under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) Act of 1986. These rules are necessary to ensure that the tables conform to the economic and demographic assumptions adopted by the Board of Actuaries and published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2014, as required by 5 U.S.C. 8461(i).

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on December 23, 2013, to amend conditions under which Federal employees and retirees may change enrollment under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. This is the final rule.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) amends its regulations to provide that a beneficiary designation form is valid only if it is received by the TSP record-keeper not more than one year after the date of the participant's signature.

This interim final rule is effective July 3, 2014. Written comments may be submitted by August 4, 2014.

5 CFR Part 9301

Summary

Notice is hereby given that the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) proposes to amend its Privacy Act regulation exempting portions of an existing system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. Certain portions of the Investigations Records, SIGAR-08, system of records contain criminal investigation records, investigatory material for law enforcement purposes, confidential source information and are proposed to be exempted under the Privacy Act.

2014-06-27; vol. 79 # 124 - Friday, June 27, 2014

79 FR 36438 - Legal Process for the Enforcement of a Tax Levy or Criminal Restitution Order Against a Participant Account

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its regulations to explain the Board's procedures for responding to tax levies and criminal restitution orders that comply with statutory requirements.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing to revise the definition of spouse in its regulations on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as a result of the decision by the United States Supreme Court holding Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. The new definition will replace the existing definition, which contains language from DOMA that refers to “a legal union between one man and one woman.” The new definition permits Federal employees with same-sex spouses to use FMLA leave in the same manner as Federal employees with opposite-sex spouses.

OGE is issuing a proposed rule to revoke the designation of one departmental component of one agency and designate a new bureau as a departmental component for purposes of the one-year post-employment conflict of interest restriction in the United States Code; to revoke the designation of two departmental components of another agency and designate their successor bureau as a departmental component; to change the name of an existing departmental component; and to revoke the designation of a departmental component that was abolished.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting as final its proposed regulation to implement the administrative wage garnishment (AWG) provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA). The regulation will allow OPM to garnish the disposable pay of an individual to collect delinquent non-tax debts owed to the United States without first obtaining a court order. The regulation sets forth procedures for use by OPM in collecting debts owed to the Federal Government. The Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended by the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and the DCIA, requires agencies to issue regulations on their debt collection procedures. The regulation includes procedures for collection of debts through AWG.

The rule is effective May 19, 2014. The amendments to 5 CFR 2634.304 and 2634.907 (as set forth in amendatory paragraphs 2 and 3) are retroactively applicable as of January 1, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 2634 and 2635

Summary

The Office of Government Ethics is updating its executive branch regulation on financial disclosure to reflect the retroactive statutory increase of the reporting thresholds for gifts and travel reimbursements. As a matter of regulatory policy, OGE is also raising the widely attended gatherings nonsponsor gifts exception dollar ceiling under the executive branchwide standards of ethical conduct regulation, but this change is not retroactive.

The rule is effective May 19, 2014. The amendments to 5 CFR 2634.304 and 2634.907 (as set forth in amendatory paragraphs 2 and 3) are retroactively applicable as of January 1, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 2634 and 2635

Summary

The Office of Government Ethics is updating its executive branch regulation on financial disclosure to reflect the retroactive statutory increase of the reporting thresholds for gifts and travel reimbursements. As a matter of regulatory policy, OGE is also raising the widely attended gatherings nonsponsor gifts exception dollar ceiling under the executive branchwide standards of ethical conduct regulation, but this change is not retroactive.

OPM is issuing a final rule to incorporate in its political activity regulations the amendments to the Hatch Act added by the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012. The final rule also updates the contact information for the United States Office of Special Counsel, the Federal agency authorized by statute to investigate and prosecute allegations of Hatch Act violations, and to issue advisory opinions concerning permitted and prohibited political activities under the Hatch Act. Finally, the final rule updates our regulations to conform to current Federal employee political activity provisions.

OPM is issuing a final rule to incorporate in its political activity regulations the amendments to the Hatch Act added by the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012. The final rule also updates the contact information for the United States Office of Special Counsel, the Federal agency authorized by statute to investigate and prosecute allegations of Hatch Act violations, and to issue advisory opinions concerning permitted and prohibited political activities under the Hatch Act. Finally, the final rule updates our regulations to conform to current Federal employee political activity provisions.

OPM is issuing a final rule to incorporate in its political activity regulations the amendments to the Hatch Act added by the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012. The final rule also updates the contact information for the United States Office of Special Counsel, the Federal agency authorized by statute to investigate and prosecute allegations of Hatch Act violations, and to issue advisory opinions concerning permitted and prohibited political activities under the Hatch Act. Finally, the final rule updates our regulations to conform to current Federal employee political activity provisions.

Effective date: This regulation is effective on April 24, 2014. Applicability date: This change applies on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after June 23, 2014.

5 CFR Part 532

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing a final rule to establish special wage schedules for the Department of Defense's (DOD's) nonappropriated fund (NAF) automotive mechanics. These special wage schedules will replace the current commission pay practice covering DOD's NAF automotive mechanics with a flat rate pay system. Implementation of a flat rate pay system will better align the pay practice for compensating NAF automotive mechanics with current prevailing pay practices in the private sector.

This rule is effective May 27, 2014 without further action, unless adverse comment is received by May 23, 2014. If adverse comment is received, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the Federal Register .

5 CFR Part 1639

Summary

This regulation implements the authority established under the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) to order a non-Federal employer to withhold up to 15 percent of an employee's disposable income to pay a non-tax delinquent debt owed to the Agency or Thrift Savings Fund.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its Privacy Act and FOIA regulations to reflect the Agency's current organizational structure and to transfer responsibility for reviewing Privacy Act and FOIA requests from the Agency's Office of Resource Management (formerly known as the Office of Administration) to the Office of General Counsel.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its Privacy Act and FOIA regulations to reflect the Agency's current organizational structure and to transfer responsibility for reviewing Privacy Act and FOIA requests from the Agency's Office of Resource Management (formerly known as the Office of Administration) to the Office of General Counsel.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations concerning the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). These final regulations are being issued in order to strengthen the integrity, streamline the operations and increase the effectiveness of the program to ensure its continued growth and success. They were designed in response to the recommendations of the CFC-50 Commission in the Federal Advisory Committee Report on the Combined Federal Campaign, issued in July, 2012. As such, we expect these regulations will improve donor participation, CFC infrastructure, and standards of transparency and accountability.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 23, 2013 (78 FR 58153), updating the 2007 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes used in Federal Wage System wage survey industry regulations with the 2012 NAICS revisions published by the Office of Management and Budget. The final rule inadvertently omitted deleting two NAICS codes from the list of required NAICS codes in the Electronics specialized industry in 5 CFR 532.313. This document corrects this error.

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board), following an internal review of MSPB regulations and after consideration of comments received from MSPB stakeholders, is proposing to amend its rules of practice and procedure by amending its regulations governing how jurisdiction is established over Board appeals.

NCUA is making minor technical corrections to its supplementary ethics regulation to correct certain statutory references and to its regulation governing golden parachute and indemnification payments to conform certain internal cross citations affected by two recently revised final regulations.

NCUA is making minor technical corrections to its supplementary ethics regulation to correct certain statutory references and to its regulation governing golden parachute and indemnification payments to conform certain internal cross citations affected by two recently revised final regulations.

2014-03-05; vol. 79 # 43 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

79 FR 12353 - Pay for Senior-Level and Scientific or Professional Positions

This document amends rules for setting and adjusting pay of senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) employees. The Senior Professional Performance Act of 2008 changes pay for these employees by providing for rates of basic pay up to the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule (EX-III), or, if the employee is under a certified performance appraisal system, the rate payable for level II of the Executive Schedule (EX-II). Consistent with this statutory emphasis on performance-based pay, these regulations provide for agencies to set and adjust pay for SL and ST employees based on individual performance, contribution to the agency's performance, or both, as determined under a rigorous performance appraisal system.

2014-02-10; vol. 79 # 27 - Monday, February 10, 2014

79 FR 7565 - Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Effective Date: February 10, 2014. Comment Date: Comments must be received by April 11, 2014.

5 CFR Part 6901

Summary

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), is amending the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The interim rule will permit student interns to seek prior approval to engage in outside employment with a NASA contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or party to a NASA agreement in connection with work performed by that entity or under that agreement. These amendments will clarify the types of outside employment activities that require approval; streamline the process for approval; eliminate obsolete position titles; and extend the permissible time period of approval.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations to eliminate the 10-year statute of limitations on collection of debt by administrative offset, which includes centralized salary offset. The final regulations conform with an amendment made by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. This change would authorize the offset of nontax payments (via salary offset) to collect delinquent Federal debt without regard to the amount of time the debt has been delinquent. OPM is also making several technical changes to be consistent with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice Federal Claims Collection Standards and the Department of the Treasury salary offset regulations.

This interim final rule is effective February 5, 2014. Comments are due on or before March 7, 2014.

5 CFR Part 870

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim final regulation to update the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) regulations to reflect updated election opportunities for participants in the Pathways Programs, which were designed to promote employment for students and recent graduates in the Federal workforce through internships with Federal agencies.

This interim final rule is effective February 5, 2014. Comments are due on or before March 7, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 890 and 894

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim final regulation to update the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) regulations to reflect updated election opportunities for participants in the Pathways Programs. The Pathways Programs were created by Executive Order (E.O.) 13562, signed by the President on December 27, 2010, and are designed to enable the Federal Government to compete effectively for students and recent graduates by improving its recruitment efforts through internships and similar programs with Federal agencies. This interim final rule furthers these recruitment and retention efforts by providing health insurance, as well as dental and vision benefits, to eligible program participants and their families.

This interim final rule is effective February 5, 2014. Comments are due on or before March 7, 2014.

5 CFR Parts 890 and 894

Summary

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim final regulation to update the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) regulations to reflect updated election opportunities for participants in the Pathways Programs. The Pathways Programs were created by Executive Order (E.O.) 13562, signed by the President on December 27, 2010, and are designed to enable the Federal Government to compete effectively for students and recent graduates by improving its recruitment efforts through internships and similar programs with Federal agencies. This interim final rule furthers these recruitment and retention efforts by providing health insurance, as well as dental and vision benefits, to eligible program participants and their families.

Comments on the proposed regulation must be received in writing on or before March 7, 2014.

5 CFR Part 179

Summary

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing this proposed regulation to implement the administrative wage garnishment (AWG) provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA). The regulation will allow OPM to garnish the disposable pay of an individual to collect delinquent non-tax debts owed to the United States without first obtaining a court order. The proposed regulation sets forth procedures for use by OPM in collecting debts owed to the Federal Government. The Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended by the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and the DCIA, requires agencies to issue regulations on their debt collection procedures. The proposed regulation includes procedures for collection of debts through AWG.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing to change the regulations on creditable service for career tenure. The proposed regulation removes the requirement for creditable service to be substantially continuous. This change will assist individuals who leave Federal service before meeting the requirement and subsequently return to a qualifying appointment.

79 FR 613 - Special Rights for Transferred Employees Under the Dodd-Frank Act Regarding Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a proposed rule to implement provisions of Public Law 111-203, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Public Law 111-203 includes authorization for certain transferred employees to have a special enrollment opportunity and special rights regarding Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) to ensure their continuity of benefits coverage.

The Office of Government Ethics is issuing this final rule to provide notice of the revocation of certain regulatory exemptions of senior employee positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission from certain criminal post-employment restrictions.